Grandfather Mountain State Park
Trails Status
Open
About the Park
Located in Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga counties 13 miles southwest of Boone, Grandfather Mountain State Park showcases a stunning mountain known for severe weather and challenging terrain that has hikers scrambling along cliffs, gripping cables, and climbing up ladders. It also boasts an unmatched ecological diversity that has been recognized as a United Nations International Biosphere Reserve. The state parkland sits between privately owned Grandfather Mountain attraction (admission fee charged) and Blue Ridge Parkway trails managed by the National Park Service.
Camping
- Tent sites (backpacking only)
- Group tent sites (backpacking only)
Activities
- Hiking (13 miles) – free permits are required and must be filled out at the trailhead prior to hiking
Grandfather Mountain State Park trails connect to the Asutsi Trail, 0.4 miles, and the Tanawha Trail, 13 miles. Both hiking trails are managed by the National Park Service as part of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Plan Your Visit
Address
4198 N.C. 105 N., Banner Elk, NC 28604
GPS: 36.1197, -81.8350
Current Weather
The temperatures shown below are for the town of Banner Elk. Calloway Peak, the highest point on the mountain, has an elevation of 5,946 feet, and temperatures throughout the park may be several degrees colder than shown, so please plan accordingly.
The following are other parking areas for trails inside Grandfather Mountain State Park. These accesses are not managed by N.C. State Parks.
Boone Fork Parking Area
Managed by the National Park Service
Mile marker: 299.9, Blue Ridge Parkway, Banner Elk, NC 28604
GPS: 36.1200, -81.7813
Asutsi Trail Parking Area
Managed by the National Park Service
Blowing Rock Highway / U.S. 221, Blowing Rock, NC 28605
GPS: 36.1163, -81.7773
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation
Fee charged at attraction
2050 Blowing Rock Highway, Linville, NC 28646
GPS: 36.0851, -81.8462
Park Hours
To accommodate early hikers, park gates are not closed on a daily basis. However, they may close due to weather conditions.
|
Month |
Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| February | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| March | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| April | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| May | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| June | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| July | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| August | 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| September | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| October | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| November | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| December | 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
You may contact the office during business hours or after hours; please leave a message and we will return your call as soon as possible.
Photo Gallery
Top: Grandfather Mountain profile, C. Peek
Gallery: View from Calloway Peak, J. Brown | Hikers using rope on a steep climb, C. Peek | Pinkshell azalea, vulnerable species endemic to Grandfather Mountain, J. Mickey | McRae Peak, C. Peek | Yonahlosse salamander, a large species first described at Grandfather Mountain, B. Goff